Introduction

Nightlife is still pleasantly mellow in Hoi An's old town - a good fit for the style of the old merchant town. The backpacker strip directly across the river at An Hoi is ramping up the party - and the noise. An Bang Beach, around 5kms from town is also developing a bar scene of its own.

Hoi An's old town has some tasteful, atmospheric spots for a quiet drink. They’re mostly in close proximity to one another, so you can wander around and pick the place that takes your fancy. Hoi An’s bars are mostly along Le Loi and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets. The river is lined with restaurants that also happily double up as bars.

Our list of the best places to grab a glass of wine or a cocktail in Hoi An - handpicked and updated in October 2018.

Mango Mango

Upstairs at Mango Mango is a great spot for a late afternoon cocktail or a glass of wine. They have a selection of Vietnam’s craft beers on tap too. After dinner, there’s live music downstairs most nights. It all finishes early at around 11PM.

Mango Rooms is a cool spot for an afternoon cocktail or glass of wine looking over the river. Created more than a decade ago by American Vietnamese chef Tran Duc (Duc also owns Mango Mango), the feel is bright, staff are friendly, and happy hour runs till 7. Hang around to sample some of Duc’s work for dinner too.

Address - Mango Rooms -- 111 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Hoi An - you can also enter from the riverfront along Bach Dang St.

Photo: Mark Bowyer Mango Rooms, Hoi An

White Marble Wine Bar

White Marble’s stocks Hoi An's most extensive wine selection - including a generous range by the glass. There's a good balance of old and new world wines on offer. If you like your wine, this is your place. The airy building over two floors is an old town gem with a great feel. If you’re feeling the Hoi An summer heat, head upstairs for air-conditioning. And if you're feeling settled, stay for dinner.

Address: White Marble Wine Bar -- 98 Le Loi St, Hoi An - in the heart of town on the corner with Nguyen Thai Hoc

Photo: Mark Bowyer White Marble - atmospheric wine bar in Hoi An

Tadioto Hoi An

Tadioto Hoi An is the latest creation of our dear friend, author and artist, Nguyen Qui Duc. Tadioto in Hanoi is an institution. Duc likes to describe his clientele as “thinkers and drinkers” - he enjoys the odd drop of whiskey and has long been an eloquent advocate for the arts in Vietnam. His places are magnets for interesting types - locals and visitors. Duc's brought his trademark cool design to a Hoi An heritage house, creating what will no doubt become an outpost for those looking to escape the busier parts of the old town. Tadioto is well hidden, and the signage is discreet. It's open through the day for coffee and also serves sushi and ramen. Duc writes serious stuff. You can read his writing in the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine and other publications. His book, Where the Ashes Are, is a powerful account of his family’s experience of war and resettlement in the US.

Address: Tadioto Hoi An -- 54 Phan Boi Chau Hoi An - down the laneway

Dive Bar

In case you're wondering about the name, Dive Bar is the headquarters for Cham Island Diving. The bar ain’t a dive at all. It’s a popular little travellers’ drinkery with occasional live acoustic tunes. There’s a fair chance if you’re planning any snorkelling or diving that you’ll pass by here too.

Address: The Dive Bar 88 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An

Market Terrace Wine Bar

Market Terrace wine bar opened in 2018 in an open air space on top of Hoi An cloth market (the one by Cam Nam bridge). It’s slightly away from Hoi An’s main tourist centre - which is a nice change. The views across enormous old banyan trees to Hoi An’s historic streets and the river are a highlight. The mellow vibe later at night is a plus too. The owners also own a wine distribution company just down the road so they should know their stuff. Market Terrace is slightly hidden. Look up from the corner of Bach Dang and Hoang Dieu.

The Dublin Gate opened in 2017 and is already one of Hoi An’s busiest bars. There’s live music most nights, a steady flow of sporting events on the screens, and a general feel of Irish frivolity with Vietnamese characteristics.

Hill Station is a deli that serves good cold cuts and cheese and sports a solid wine list. It’s located slightly away from the tourist centre in one of Hoi An’s nicest old villas.

Address: The Hill Station -- 321 Nguyen Duy Hieu St, Hoi An

Q Bar Hoi An

Q Bar is Hoi An’s fanciest cocktail venue and stocks the old town’s most extensive bar and cocktail list. The space is cool, the people tend to be too. It’s located among the old town’s most popular drinkeries so take a look.

THE Q BAR HOI AN CLOSED ITS DOORS IN DECEMBER 2018

An Hoi backpacker bars

Across the bridge, the area known as an An Hoi, is becoming popular for backpacker revelry. There are quite a few options. They fluctuate from night to night and are easy to find. Head right as you come off the bridge. Tiger Tiger is consistently busy.

Why Not Bar

If your Hoi An night spins out of control, Why Not is the town’s messy late night venue. Popular with wobbling backpackers, it starts and finishes very late. There have been quite a few tales of nastiness with xe om drivers and thieves loitering outside. Young women should take special care. Don’t come alone, watch your drinks and your things and try and stay in control.

Address: Why Not Bar -- 10 Pham Hong Thai St Hoi An

Salt Pub, An Bang Beach - An Bang Beach

A new arrival in 2017, Salt Pub is part of the Australian Vietnamese owned Beachside Boutique Resort. It was in its early days during our visits but it had an Aussie pub feel. The beachside setting is stunning and they’ve done a good job on the space. The green between the pub and the beach is a gem.

Address: Salt Pub -- Cam An, An Bang, Hoi An - at the southern cluster of bars and restaurants at An Bang around 500m from the main cluster.

Photo: Mark Bowyer Salt Pub, An Bang Beach, Hoi An

Soul Kitchen - An Bang Beach

Soul Kitchen on An Bang beach is a good spot to end the day with a drink by the sea. Visiting musicians often pull in to perform as well. There’s a jam session that’s popular with expats every Sunday from around 5pm.

As An Bang beach's popularity grows, Soul Kitchen is getting crowded.

The Soul Kitchen people have also opened another venue, Soul Beach, about 100m south of Soul Kitchen. The new place is even more ramshackle. It’s becoming a popular live music venue.

Address: Soul Kitchen -- An Bang Beach - turn left from the main road

Heading to Danang?

And if the Hoi An scene feels too small, you can take the half hour cab ride to Danang, a larger city where there are more restaurant and nightlife options. It’s no party town like Saigon but there are a few bars and big local clubs.You can check out our Danang nightlife guide here.

Note: Late nights in Hoi An are mostly fun and trouble free. But, there are increasing reports of nasty xe om (motorcycle taxi) encounters, spiked drinks and bill disputes in late night backpacker bars. Be wary. Try and stay in control.

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